The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-12

fleets on June 18th, above Vicks-
burg, did not believe the Coneder-
ates had sufficient resour ces ID build
a formidable vessel in such an out Of
the way place, but, moved by the
persistenoy Of the two deserters, they
finally decided on the following day
to send an exploring expedition up
the YazOO ITO procure correct infor-
nation concerning the distractions
and defenses of the river, and ascer-
tain, il possible, the whereabouts Of
the ram Arkansas"
Soon alter daylight on the morn
ing Of the 18th Lieut.. Commander
Brown ordered the anchors OF the
Arkansas to be raised, and substitute
ing au inferior vessel in place Of the
Star Of the West in the distractions,
proceeded down the Yazoo. 1t was
the intention to have made the at
tack on the Federal feet at daylight,
but on starting from the temporary
anchorage the ram ran aground and
lost valuable time. AT sunrise three
of the enemy's vessels we're seen
rapidly ascending Old River. They
were in a line abreast, the ironclad
Carondelet of thirteen guns in the
center, the ironclad ram Queen OF
the West on the starboard and the
gunboat Tyler on the port side. At
this moment the commander OF the
Arkansas called the officers around
him on the slield and addressed
them in these words: Gentlemen,
| in seeking the combat as we now do,
we must win OF perish. Should l
fall, whoever succeeds to the com
mand will do so with the resolution
TO 20 through the enemy's feet or go
to the bottom. Should they carry
US by boarding, the Arkansas must
be blown up; on no account must
she TALL into the hands of the enemy
Go TO your guusl" Lieut.. Gift says:
MANY of the men had stripped off
their shirts and were bare to the
waists, with handkerchiefs bound
round their heads, and some OF the
officers had removed their coats aud
stood in their undershirts. The
decks had been thoroughly sanded
TO prevent slipping after the blood
should become plentiful. Tourni-
Duets were served out to division
officers by the surgeons, with direc'
tons for use. The division tubs
we're filled with water to drink; fire
buckets we're in place; cutlasses and
pistols strapped on; rifles loaded and
| bayonets fixed; spare breechings for
the guns, and other implements
made ready. The magazines and
shell rooms forward and aft were
opened and the men inspected in
their places. Before getting under
way coffee Cor an apology therefor)
had been served to the crew, and
daylight found US grim, determined
set of fellows. grouped about our
guns, anxiously waiting to get sight
Of the enemy.
SHORTY after sunrise the smoke
from steamers was discovered by
Capt. Brown, who, with First Lieu
tenant Henry X. Stevens, stood on a
platform entirely exposed to the
enemy's FIRE. This was the signal
for fresh girding up, last inspections
and final arrangements for battle
Lieut.. John Grimball and myself di'
yided the honor Of commanding the
eight inch columbiads. He FOUGHT
the starboard and l the port gun,
Midshipman Dabney M. Scales was
his lieu tenant, and a youngsteI
named John Wilson, Of Baltimore
was mine. Lieut.. A. ID. Wharton
of Nashville, came next on the star
board broadside, with Midshipmal
II. ii. Baoot for his assistant. Lieut.
Charles w. Read, OF Mississippi, haC
the two stern chasers, both rifles, tC
himself, and the remaining two guns
on the port side were under com
mand Of Lieut.. Alphonso Barbot
Each lieutenant had two guns
Grimball and myself had each &
bow chaser and a broadside gun
The two masters; John l.. Phillips
and Samuel Mllliken, were in charge
of the two powder divisions. Ste
yens busted himself passing abou
the ship, cool and smiling, givinG
advice here and encouragement
there. Our commander, Lieut.. Isaac
Newton Brown, passed around thu
ship, and after making one of hi
sharp, pithy speeches, returned t
his post with glass in hand to Get tn,
first sight Of the approaching
enemy"
just then the Oarondelet, for which
the Arkansas had been steadily stand
ing. fred her bow guns, at sher
range, wore round and aocompani,'
by her consorts made for the feet
six or eight miles below. The boy
guns of the Arkansas were now wei
served in the chase, whose superio
speed, 30 evident at the beginning O
this running fight, soon slaokene
under the effect OF the Arkansas rak
ing FIRE. In the meantime the latte
, experienced much annoyance fror
the guns and small arms of the othe
, vessels Of the Federal squadron, an
from their attempts to gain position
for ramming and raking astern; bu
whenever the Arkansas, leaving tn
Caroudolet, steered for them, as alter
, nately and frequently she had to Dc
they would return to their position
, in the line abreast with the Oarou
: delet. In half an hour the latte
vessel, superior in guns aud armor I
the Arkansas, was silenced and ra
i in among the willows, where her pull
suer, owing to the great depth {
water, not caring to follow, lett he
> she no longer having the power c
apparent disposition 10 offer turtle
q resistance, and it not actually SUI
n rendering, showing no colors, nc
q having man or officer in sight, Til
consort vessels, too, gave up the 6gh
|, abandoning their chief, made the
;. way, as a speed far SURPRISING tn;
n of the Arkansas, for the shelter I
n their man feet,
The Tyler succeeded in reachiu
n the Federal feet nearly half an hor
@ in advance of the Arkansas, thT
S giving sufficient time TO prepare fC
g the reception OF the unwelcon
Is visitor. None OF the vessels ha
s much steam up. though all had 6rt